Attergo guide: Cycle counting for pharmacies

Executive summary. Cycle counts are small, regular physical checks that surface inventory differences while they are still small.

Definition

A cycle count is a scheduled count of selected inventory items compared with the quantity recorded by the pharmacy.

Where this work lives in Attergo

Inventory teams work across the Attergo Inventory Dashboard, Items, Lots, Purchasing, Counts, Returns, Reorder, and Suppliers workspaces. Start at the item or lot in question, record what was observed, and use the appropriate count or queue to bring the physical and recorded positions back into agreement.

Count high-value, fast-moving, controlled, refrigerated, and discrepancy-prone items at a frequency that matches their risk. A count becomes far more useful when staff know the location, the cutoff time, and the unit they are counting.

Review and follow up

Investigate a difference before adjusting anything. Look at receiving, dispensing, returns, waste, transfers, package size, and timing. Record the reason for a confirmed adjustment, and whatever change will stop it recurring.

Final decisions stay with the role your organization holds accountable for them. Record the decision on the item, with the evidence behind it, so the next person to open it does not start over.

Frequently asked questions

Who should use this Attergo workspace?

The role that owns the next action leads it: a billing specialist, an authorization coordinator, an inventory lead, a pharmacist, a compliance lead, or a finance reviewer. Access follows the role your organization assigns.